Roscommon may travel

The Connacht Council have accepted in principle New York's invitation to host the first round of the Connacht Football Championship although a final decision now rests with the Roscommon county board.

The game was originally scheduled for Dr Hyde Park on May 19th but in an effort to field their strongest possible team, the New York Board invited Roscommon to travel to New York. They have offered $30,000 towards the cost of the trip or alternatively will pay for travel, room and board for a party of 35 people.

After meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the proposal, the Connacht Council agreed to the idea that Roscommon could travel to New York's Gaelic Park but said the ultimate decision rests with the Roscommon county board. Roscommon officials will meet next Monday to make a decision on the matter.

"It is seen as a good idea," said Connacht chairman John Prenty. "But Roscommon are anxious about certain things. They are looking into the possibility of bringing the game forward, and there are also some concerns about the playing grounds in Gaelic Park."

Part of the problem for Roscommon is the timing of the fixture. Presuming they win, manager John Tobin would then face a meeting with either Galway or Leitrim a fortnight later, and fear the trip to America would hinder preparations. As a result, the Connacht Council have given them the option of staging the game on the weekend of May 6th.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm preparing the team for a championship game on May 19th no matter where it's played," said Tobin yesterday. "I'll let the Roscommon board make up their own mind but I'm not particularly interested in getting involved with the politics behind it. It's not a question of me being willing or unwilling to travel, I'm just preparing the team for the championship."

It was also learned last night that New York are unimpressed by the reluctance of Roscommon to take up their offer, and board president Monty Moloney has criticised suggestions that Gaelic Park wouldn't be suitable to stage the game. With some players fearing emigration problems, New York feel they will not be able to bring their strongest team to Ireland and may pull out of the fixture altogether if they are forced to travel. Meanwhile, the latest phase in the redevelopment of Dr Hyde Park was launched in Roscommon last night by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Dr Jim McDaid.

The plan is for a new seated and covered stand to be constructed at the western side of the ground at a cost of £1.2 million. Work will be carried out over the next nine months and when completed, it will provide seated covering for 3,750 people.

A major fundraising campaign is also being set up to ensure the project is completed on time. Lottery funding of £200,000 has already been secured in addition to funding from the Connacht Council (£25,000) and Central Council (£50,000).

There are also plans by the local committee to put in place a wide-ranging five-year financial campaign, including a proposal to sell five-year seats for the new stand subject to the approval of the Connacht and Central Councils.